Alectra Utilities and General Motors generate energy-saving projects to power over 3,000 homes a year
2018-08-02
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St. Catharines, ON – Through the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Save on Energy conservation program offered by Alectra Utilities, General Motors’ St. Catharines Propulsion Plant is finding efficiencies to ensure it’s manufacturing engines and transmissions in a safe and responsible way, with the smallest possible impact on the environment.
Through working with Alectra Utilities, GM’s St. Catharines facility replaced 854 interior bay metal halides with 700 energy-efficient LED fixtures and upgraded 17 air make-up units with high efficient motors and VFD controls. Both of these projects will result in an energy reduction of 6.19 million kWh, which will reduce GM St. Catharines’ carbon emissions by 310 metric tonnes*.
The new smart technology LED lighting fixtures and VFD speed control of high-efficiency motors use much less energy, extend equipment life, improve light and air quality for the work environment, and help reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.
“Alectra Utilities is committed to working with our business customers to ensure that they are receiving technical expertise from our Conservation and Demand Management account specialists,” said Raegan Bond, VP Conservation Demand Management, Alectra Utilities. “We are here to help our customers manage their energy costs through improved energy efficiencies and identifying the various Save on Energy programs that would help them best achieve their energy reduction goals.”
“General Motors is committed to a world of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. Working with innovative companies like Alectra to reduce electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions are critical to helping GM drive toward this bold vision,” said Peter Scott, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, St. Catharines Propulsion Plant.
GM St. Catharines has worked with Alectra Utilities on multiple energy-saving projects since 2012, including a micro-hydro project that allows for the use of gravity-fed canal water to supply cooling water to the plant. Over the past six years, the two companies’ combined efforts at the St. Catharines facility have resulted in an annual total of 30.7 million kWh of energy savings and carbon emission reductions of 1,535 metric tonnes*. The total energy savings from all the conservation initiatives is equivalent to powering 3,600 homes each year. Efficient use of electricity can help reduce costs and conserve energy. For more information about Alectra Utilities’ conservation programs and incentives, please visit www.alectraconservation.com
*Source: National Inventory Report 1990-2014: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada
About Alectra Utilities Corporation
Alectra Utilities Corporation serves approximately one million customers across a 1,800 square kilometre service territory and 15 communities including Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Brampton, Bradford, Hamilton, Markham, Mississauga, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan. It is part of the Alectra family of companies, which also includes Alectra Inc. and Alectra Energy Solutions Inc.
About General Motors in Canada
General Motors of Canada markets Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles through Canada’s impressive dealer network, as well as OnStar and MAVEN services. Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, GM Canada employs more than 8,000 people across the country and is a recognized leader in advanced manufacturing, green operations, active safety, and autonomous and connected vehicle technology research and development. For more information about General Motors Canada, please visit www.gm.ca, or follow @GMcanada on Twitter.
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